Praise for the New Miracles & Moments of Grace

“Miracles & Moments of Grace offers encouragement for our hearts and strength for our struggles. Written with clarity and with heart, these uplifting stories of overcoming and enduring provide a glimpse of God’s bigger picture, spurring us on to move forward in confident faith.” —Leslie Haskin, 9/​11 survivor, speaker, and author of Between Heaven and Ground Zero

“These amazing stories of God’s intervention in the midst of desperate situations and heart-stopping moments remind us that miracles still happen. Come alongside the inspiring people in this book and experience the power, the presence, and the peace of God. Read. Be blessed. And believe!”— Twila Belk, writer, speaker, and co-author with Cecil Murphey of I Believe in Healing and I Believe in Heaven

“Hope resonates through every story in this book. In the most dire situations, people have experienced miraculous survival, deepened faith, and a heightened sense of gratitude. Having almost touched the hand of God myself, I appreciate life in all its fullness. We are all here for a reason and have no reason to leave until God’s plan for our lives has been fulfilled.”
—Tina Zahn, founder of Pilgrim Feet ministry and author of Why I Jumped

Praise for Miracles & Moments of Grace

"This book is filled with women who are heroes in the lives of others. Mothers experience undeniable miracles that bring them to the pinnacle of hope and happiness. Even in the struggles of motherhood, our lives are touched by miracles and grace."

—Colleen Swindoll-Thompson, author, speaker and director of special needs ministries for Insight for Living

"Miracles & Moments of Grace is an absolute treasure of wisdom. The beautiful voices that speak from the pages of this book remind us that there is meaning, purpose and joy in motherhood. This is a lovely book I would recommend to new moms, seasoned moms, moms-to-be, or anyone who wants to feel the majesty and grace of family life."

—April Perry, co-founder of The Power of Moms website, and co-author of Deliberate Motherhood

"Miracles & Moments of Grace pulls you in from the very first page, as Nancy shares moving stories from real-life moms who were able to see God's hand in their lives through the sweet, memorable moments and the tender, heartbreaking moments. For anyone who has embarked on the journey of the high calling of motherhood, this book will touch your heart."

—Tracie Miles, writer and speaker for Proverbs 31 Ministries and author of Stressed-Less Living

"Nancy Kennedy has done a beautiful job collecting stories of hope, love, hardship, joy, worry... or as we could simply say, motherhood."

Praise for Miracles & Moments of Grace

This book looks beyond immediate medical needs to the spiritual care given by top doctors. It is a fresh revelation of the personal lives of doctors who have faith; a glimpse into their private world and the amazing God they choose to trust.

—David Levy, MD, neurosurgeon and author of Gray Matter: A neurosurgeon discovers the power of prayer...one patient at a time.

I believe that every doctor has at least one gripping story to tell. In this book, Nancy Kennedy chronicles dozens of these stories. Get ready to smile, to weep, and to praise God.

—Robert Orr, MD, CM, senior fellow with The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity and author of Medical Ethics and the Faith Factor

These stories of doctors’ tender encounters with anxious and fearful patients shed light on the immense privilege of the doctor-patient relationship. After sharing in the experiences of these inspiring and faith-filled physicians, your doctor’s exam room will never seem a cold place again.

Praise for Miracles & Moments of Grace

Bravo-Zulu!
--Mission Capodanno

From Iqbal, the boy who lived through the southeast Asian tsunami aboard a Navy hospital ship, to the barracks in Lebanon where 241 Marines were killed in a 1983 suicide bombing to the World Trade Center and Pentagon on September 11, 2001, Kennedy relates 50 stories, recounted with humor and tenderness. -- Publishers Weekly

These candid accounts of remarkable luck and bloody catastrophe from dozens of noncombatant military men and women are moving and painful to read. Their stories have the brevity and terse eloquence of real and lived experience. -- Library Journal

This remarkable collection of first-person stories clearly shows the extent of God's love for us. God has protected, healed, provided strength, and shown his love through miracles. This book is a must read for anyone looking for the real source of strength and truth in life! -- Lt. Gen. Paul K. Carlton Jr., USAF, Retired; Professor of Surgery, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Surgeon General of the Air Force (1999-2002)

Chaplains serve as a reminder of the holy, a bridge to the magnificent Holy Presence that defeats the horrors of war. These amazing stories reveal the drama of human tragedy magnified in military service and the ever-present, redeeming God in the midst of it all. -- Chaplain Maj. Gen. Lorraine K. Potter, USAF, Retired; Chief of the Air Force Chaplain Service (2001-2004)

I encourage those who care about soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines to read this profoundly stirring book. Ms. Kennedy has done a masterful job of weaving together these fascinating stories. I am reminded that God is present in unexpected ways in so many places. -- Chaplain Col. Edward T. Brogan, USAF, Retired; Director of the Presbyterian Council for Chaplains and Military Personnel

Miracles and Moments of Grace

In my last post, I mentioned that during the month of December, my publisher is offering a 4-for-3 deal on books in the Miracles & Moments of Grace series. As they say on TV... But that's not all!

I would love to sign all the books you buy for yourself and your friends! Sadly, I can only live in one place. That doesn't mean I can't sign your book, though! My publisher has made up these lovely bookplates. They have a big, blank space for signing, and they adhere to the inside title page of the book.

So... if you would like signed bookplates, just send me a message through the Contact Me page on my website (at the top of the page) or via the e-mail link at the lower righthand column of this page.

You can tell me who you'd like me to sign the book to, even what wording you might like. I'm happy that we can offer this way to personalize the books in the series for you.

Here's the deal: Buy any 3 books in the series and get the 4th of your choice for free. The promo code is MMGGET1 and will be applied at checkout.

Now's the time to give the folks on your shopping list a chance to read and savor more than 200 stories of faith, inspiration and courage. In these four books, you'll find inspiring true stories from military chaplains, moms, doctors and survivors. Their stories will touch your heart and lift your spirits!

Just click on one of the links in this post and head on over to Leafwood Publishers to grab this deal. I hope this simplifies your shopping!

Damaris Scalzi was missing the communication she had with her son when he was younger. Now, as a teen, he was less willing to talk about his day. While Damaris knew this wasn't unusual for a teen boy, she wanted to restore some of the closeness they once had. Here's the approach she took, which she calls an "Airing Out."

"When our eldest son was in the 6th grade I noticed that his usual openness about his daily experiences in school started to disappear. I was aware that kids' communication practices, especially boys', tend to lessen during that age so I tried not to worry. I prayed for God to give me peace of mind, to know whether I was worrying needlessly, and for insight if there was something I needed to do.

One morning an opportunity to speak to my son about my concern arose. He missed the bus to school, so I ended up driving him in. On the way to the school, we began a conversation and this is how it went:

Mom: Son, I'm noticing you don't share as much about your day as you used to in the beginning of the school year. Are you doing OK in school?

Son: Nothing's wrong mom, I'm OK.

Mom: That's good, then I won't worry. However, if you ever did have trouble you can tell me anything and I will do my best to listen and not freak out.

Son: Yeah, I know. I'm OK though.

Mom: OK.

Son: I have detention today. I forgot to tell you about it yesterday, but it's today after school.

Mom: You forgot? Or you were afraid to tell me?

Son: I was afraid you would be angry and upset.

Mom: Well, I'm disappointed you didn't tell me yesterday, and I'm concerned about the reason for the detention. This is the first time ever.

Son: I know. I'm sorry I didn't tell you.

Mom: Here's what I will do. I will give you a "No Consequences Airing Out" right now in the school parking lot.

Son: What's an Airing Out?

Mom: You can tell me the reason you're getting detention, and I will sign your slip. You will not get a consequence, because you confessed the truth.

Son: Really? I'm not going to lose anything this weekend?

Mom: No, not this time. I will give you this in exchange for the truth and your repentance and assurance you will not do it again.

Son: OK!

My son spoke freely and openly about the event that landed him in detention and I listened. He seemed relieved and I was at peace knowing the infraction wasn't as serious as I imagined. I asked him how he felt in the last few days while he was keeping his secret. He told me he felt guilty and restless, but that telling me what happened made it better. I explained to him that's what confession does. My son looked at me with relief in his eyes, and I knew the Lord had done that for him through me, and I was extremely grateful for it.

That experience changed something in my son that gave him a peace of mind that he didn't have before he confessed. The guilt of what he kept from me was gone, and the fear that caused unrest was replaced with a much needed peace.

I realized that God had given me insight into my son as he allowed my son to feel safe sharing with me. Since that day my son and I have talked about a lot of things. God brought me into a good healthy communicative relationship with my son that he responds to and needed desperately.

Although my son doesn't always get an airing out, he seems to not need it as much, because he realizes I can stay calm when listening to less than pleasing news from him. As a parent of three children, two of which are boys, I see my sons' need for assurance in a different light. Although boys will be boys in some obvious areas of development, they desire a listening ear just as girls do. They want to be heard and validated in a loving and safe environment. Let's be wise in our approach and loving in nature, God's nature."

From time to time, I receive brief recollections of service from military chaplains I've come to know. I'm always delighted to hear their thoughts and eager to share them with others. Here, I'd like you to listen in while retired Air Force Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Jeffrey Neuberger explains the importance of ceremonies of remembrance.

"I didn't know how important this was until now."

These were the words spoken to me by a family member of a World War II Navy veteran following a short ceremony at the family home on the outskirts of Spokane.

In September 1943, just shy of his 18th birthday, this veteran joined the Navy and for three years sailed throughout the Pacific, including Okinawa and the Philippines, where he earned a number of combat medals. Like many of the veterans of World War II, he didn't talk much about his service.

His family had traveled from the east coast to join his wife at their custom built log home he had constructed especially for his wife. But after only two nights, he had died there.

A friend of the family, an Army Reserve non-commissioned officer, arranged for military honors to be rendered at the family home. Joining us was another Army Reserve NCO, a Navy Reserve lieutenant, a retired Army officer who plays taps at numerous funerals and graveside ceremonies in the area, and a firing party consisting of two Navy reservists and one active duty Navy Seaman. Together we represented three services, the officer and enlisted corps, active duty, reserve and retired members.

One of the veteran's family members asked if it is standard practice to have such a variety of participants from the various military services. I answered "No, this team represents all volunteers who were available and wanted to come."

As we began, the family was seated near the front porch. On a table was displayed a photo of the beloved family man; nearby was a shadow box displaying his medals. I opened the ceremony with an introduction describing the sequence of events and noted that while the ceremony would be short in time, it would be long in significance. I then led them in an opening prayer.

The atmosphere was quiet as the Army representatives unfurled the flag. The three-man Navy firing team provided a 21-gun salute and the bugler played taps. Tears were wiped from eyes. The flag was folded, the Navy Lieutenant presented it to the veteran's widow, and the ceremony concluded. Family members thanked us and we departed.

How does a nation say thank you to a military veteran on a Saturday afternoon in the Washington countryside? It does so with uniformed volunteers, a flag, a firing salute and the playing of taps. We know how important this is.

The show's host, Rick Probst, asked some great questions and let me chat for quite awhile. I got to talk about many of the contributors and stories in my book, particularly the stories in the radio station's listening area. I mentioned two in particular, one from Gary Polizzotto of Lilburn, Georgia, who writes of surviving a harrowing flight as the pilot of a small plane. The other writer, Marlene Kelly of the Atlanta metro area, writes of the year she spent homeless after a medical crisis reduced her circumstances.

Every time I do a radio interview, it's hard to choose which stories to talk about. I'd like to talk about all fifty! I hope with enough opportunities, I'll get to do just that. For now, here's the link to the interview on SoundCloud. Enjoy!

The whirl of activity is on! For now, I just wanted to let you know that the book is available on Amazon as well as other online outlets and bricks and mortar bookstores. And don't forget -- my publisher, Leafwood Publishers, is always ready to help you!

In this book, as in the others in the series, I tell fifty inspiring true-life stories. The people in this book have faced extraordinary circumstances and found they had the faith, the courage, and the strength to survive. Caught in Hurricane Katrina, attacked by a lion, facing a gunman, trapped in a violent marriage, losing the self to Alzheimer's--in the midst of their trials, these brave people discovered that God provides the grace to persevere in the face of life's greatest challenges. The stories they tell make the heart race, yet they also reveal the sustaining power of deep courage and true faith.

No one knows better than Leslie what it takes to survive. She survived the felling of the Twin Towers on 9/11, escaping from the 36th floor. She wrote about her experience in her book Between Heaven and Ground Zero. I greatly appreciate her support of my book.

I'll keep you updated here as release day approaches. Waiting is the hard part! I can't wait to share these inspiring stories with you.

I love when people express their gratitude to those who serve in the military in concrete ways. If we're at a restaurant, my husband will pick up the check of anyone in uniform or wearing a veteran's cap. I've seen many people reach out to shake the hand of a person in uniform. These little actions count big time!

Head on over to Amazon to take advantage of this offer. I can't wait for you to read the stories of these wonderful chaplains who care for the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of our men and women in uniform.

In the book, you'll read fifty inspiring stories of motherhood -- stories that will touch your heart and lift your spirits. New moms, seasoned moms, moms with a great sense of humor, moms who know what you're going through. They're all in here!

Flowers will wilt, chocolates won't last (at least in my household!) but these lovely stories will remain in your heart forever. Follow the link to the publisher's page and when you put the book in your cart, the special price will pop up. Hope I've solved your gift dilemma!